Derick Hermann Kroener, 50

Funeral services were held Dec. 17 at the Anchorage Moravian Church. Kroener will be laid to rest at the Kanakanak Cemetery in Dillingham in spring 2014.

Kroener was born Jan. 30, 1963, to Hermann Theodor and Hilda Emma (Olson) Kroener in Berkeley, Calif. He was raised in Chugiak with his beloved brothers, Marvin, Roland and Edmond.

Kroener attended the Moravian church at times, although he grew up attending the Baptist and Nazarene churches.

After completing high school, Kroener and his brother, Marvin, drove to Denver and attended American Diesel and Automotive School, both receiving their Master Mechanic Certificates. While there, Kroener met the love of his life, Susan Mares. They both returned to Alaska to commercial fish at Igushik in Bristol Bay — a skill in which he loved the most and also to be with his entire beloved family.

After commercial fishing he returned to Denver with Susan. Together, they raised two beautiful children, Derick Jr. and Desirae. He continued to live in Denver, however, returning to Alaska every summer to fish. Later on after his divorce from Susan, he continued to stay in Denver.

While there, he had two sons, Lucardio and Daniel Kroener.

“Derick dearly loved his children, and they were all loved by him deeply,” his family wrote. “They texted or phoned each other on a daily basis. He always ended the conversation with, ‘Be careful and I love you.’”

Kroener got home sick for Alaska and moved back from Denver, settling in Dillingham. He worked there as a master mechanic for Stelling Enterprise. Later he opened his own business, Derick’s Auto.

He also worked for Southwest Regional School District, travelling to several small villages in southwest Alaska. He met and fell in love with Deborah Brannon in Dillingham.

“Derick was a top-notch mechanic and could fix anything,” his family wrote. “He was also able to put engines together from the ground up, was an avid reader, loved music and Facebook. His loving, cute and cuddly dog, Cujo, went everywhere with him together spreading cheer.

“Derick had an energetic and lively personality,” his family wrote. “He was quite a character, bringing a smile to everyone around him. Derick had a heart of gold and showed it by doing everything he could in helping others. He prayed for himself daily as well as family members and those in need. Derick is gone but will never be forgotten. We will see you some day in a much more beautiful place. Derick will always be missed and loved.”

Kroener was preceded in death by his father, Hermann Kroener; daughter, Skye Sampson; grandparents, Hjalmar and Mary B. Olson.